The West Virginia State Bar’s Continuing Legal Education Commission is pleased to announce that The State Bar’s database for submission of Continuing Legal Education credits is up and running. The new database allows members to enter their own CLE credits and obtain an immediate confirmation that the submissions have been received. Members will be able to select the seminar attended from a list of seminars approved by the Commission. The online submission process is much more efficient and effective for both the member and the Bar and will provide the CLE Coordinator with more time to dedicate to significant member services. The CLE Commission is providing membership with notice that, effective January 1, 2014, there will be a $10.00 processing fee assessed on all paper submissions. A check to cover input of the data must accompany the submission. Questions regarding the fee should be directed to the CLE Commission atMCLE_Commission@wvbar.org. Other questions regarding CLE submissions should be directed to Hope Gresham, (304)553-7238 or greshamh@wvbar.org.

Pro Bono Celebration WeekGovernor Earl Ray Tomblin declared October 20th – 26th to beNational Pro-Bono Celebration Week.National Pro Bono Celebration Week is a coordinated effort to showcase the great differences that pro bono lawyers make to the people of West Virginia, highlighted opportunities for pro bono service to help those who cannot afford legal assistance, recruit and train more pro bono volunteers and acknowledge the partnerships that form the basis for many of the West Virginia Bar’s most successful pro bono efforts.Click here to see the proclamation.

Request for Public Comment

Request for public comment on the Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Procedure for Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings, the Guidelines for Children’s Guardians Ad Litemin Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings, and the required form Guardian Ad Litem Report.

By order entered October 15, 2013, the Court approved a period of public comment on proposed amendments to the Rules of Procedure for Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings, the Guidelines for Children’s Guardians Ad Litem in Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings, and a required form Guardian Ad Litem Report. Comments may be filed, in writing, with the Clerk of Court, on or before January 13, 2014.

The Lawyer Disciplinary Board approved the following L.E.O. at its October 25, 2013 meeting: L.E.O. 2013-02 Potential Conflicts of Interest for Federal Government or Military Attorneys Defending Agencies Against Furlough-related ComplaintsClick Here for the L.E.O

Vacancy in the 26th Family Court Circuit, Putnam County

The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the family law judge vacancy for the 26th Family Court Circuit serving Putnam County. Candidates must submit their completed applications by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 25, 2013.Applications and instructions are available atwww.governor.wv.gov. To contact the Commission regarding the application process, please call Janet Shelton at 304-558-2000. Interviews will be scheduled for and held on Monday,December 16, 2013.

6TH Judicial Circuit Vacancy

The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the judicial vacancy on the 6th Judicial Circuit serving Cabell County. Candidates must submit their completed applications by no later than 5:00 p.m. onNovember 8, 2013. Applications and instructions are available at www.governor.wv.gov. To contact the Commission regarding the application process, please call Janet Shelton at 304-558-2000. Interviews will be scheduled for and held on December 3, 2013.

Lawyer Referrals

If you are unable to assist a potential client with a legal matter, please refer the individual to the lawyer referral website (www.wvlawyerreferral.org). The website provides 24/7 access and allows clients to select the attorney(s) they may wish to contact both by subject area and by distance/location. Although the website does not yet contain detailed information on practice areas, the Bar is working on supplementing information of general interest, by subject area, and providing links to services and other websites which may be used by the potential client to evaluate whether a referral to an attorney is needed. Please be sure to notify your staff of this new service. Questions? Contact Anita Casey at caseya@wvbar.org.

Young Lawyer Section Executive Committee

The Young Lawyers’ Executive Committee is seeking nominations for the District 10 (Mercer, Monroe and Summers Counties) and District 11 (Fayette, Greenbrier, and Nicholas Counties) positions. Nominees must be members in good standing with the State Bar who have been sworn to practice before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and who are 35 years of age or under, or members admitted to practice ten years or less prior to the State Bar’s annual meeting. Additionally, nominees must have an office in the District which they are nominated. Nominations will be accepted untilNovember 15th. Please forward nominations to Jacqueline Sikora at jacqueline.sikora@courtswv.gov.